Biography courteously provided by Joyce Riedinger, Delaware County Coordinator.

FRANK PECK, one of the most enterprising young agriculturists of Delaware County, was born July 25, 1868. His great-grandfather Peck was born in Dutchess County, and in 1790 removed to Delaware County, which was then a wilderness. Here in the woods, with few-neighbors, he built, as soon as possible, a log house, not only to shelter his family from the cold and storms, but to protect them from the wild beasts which abounded in that section. He cleared a small tract of land, and raised enough wheat and corn to supply his household, being obliged to carry it many miles through the forest to be ground. His eldest son, David, was born December 3, 1794, on the farm now owned by G. Dart. David Peck always lived at home, helping his father with the farm work. On December 4, 1817, he married Clarissa Ferris, who was born June 4, 1800. They had a family of eight children, and lived to a very old age.

One of their sons was Hiram Peck, the father of the subject of this sketch. He was born December 22, 1824, and lived at home, working with his father, clearing and improving the land. December 21, 1853, he married Mary, daughter of Isaac and Rhoda (Webster) Mabey. The father, Isaac Mabey, a tanner by trade, was a Whig in politics, and was a soldier of the Revolutionary War. In his youth he worked on Staten Island, and later went to Cairo, Greene County. He died at the age of eighty-eight, in Schoharie County, his wife passing away at the age of eighty-six. They had a family of nine children - George, Alonzo, Stephen, Jeannette, Mary, Isaac, Sarah, Martha, and William Mabey. After his marriage Hiram Peck bought two hundred and thirty acres of mostly new land near the old Windham turnpike, now known as Peck Street. This he cleared, and on it put new buildings. He and his wife and nine children, namely: Munroe, who died at age seven years; Albert, who married Elizabeth Christian; David; Ella; Eda, who died young; Minnie, who was married to J. Cook; Mary; Frank, who lives at home; and John L. Peck. Hiram Peck lived to be fifty-seven years of age. He was a Republican in politics, and a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. His wife, who now lives at the old homestead with her son Frank, is also a member of that church.

Frank Peck received a good district-school education. He was scarcely fourteen years of age at the time of his father's death, but he soon took charge of the farm. Within the last few years he has built a new dwelling-house, remodelled the barns and wagon-house, and greatly improved the farm, now having a dairy that ranks among the best in this vicinity. He has raised some fine "Wilkes breed" horses, and in all matters pertaining to agricultural pursuits shows real progress. He is a staunch Republican, and takes an active interest in politics and town improvements. By taking the responsibility of so large a farm, and carrying it on with such success, he has displayed great ability, and has won well-deserved prosperity.

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